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San Antonio's River Walk is the center of nightlife in this Tex-Mex city. Millions of tourists every year flock to the walk along the historic San Antonio River. Given the number of warm southern Texas days and nights, the River Walk's restaurants, shops and clubs can leave their doors open year-round. Of the two dozen hotels actually on the River Walk, a few stand out for their historic, amenities-laden or one-of-a-kind appeal.

Closest to the Alamo

The Menger Hotel, built in 1859, wins the prize for the River Walk hotel closest to the Alamo. The Menger, which fronts on Alamo Plaza, is an elegant throwback to the mid-19th century's grand Victorian architecture. Originally two stories, it hosted Theodore Roosevelt, Mae West, Ulysses S. Grant and Sarah Bernhardt. The hotel has grown to five stories and 316 rooms and has modern amenities, but has kept its three-story original lobby, filled with antique furniture and paintings.

Splashiest Spa

If a mid-sized lodging with every amenity and extensive spa offerings is your style, the Mokara Hotel and Spa, formerly the Watermark, is ready to serve. The hotel has 99 rooms and suites with high ceilings, four-poster beds and marble baths with Jacuzzi tubs. The Mokara Spa is a 17,000-foot, full-service spa with a heated rooftop pool. There are 18 private treatment rooms offering a full array of massage types, including the "Texas two-step.'' Separate lounge areas for men and women, a full salon, whirlpools, steam rooms, saunas,and an outdoor poolside cafe round out the experience.

Boldest Personality

Hotel Havana, fully remodeled in 2010, offers a blend of old San Antonio and a bold Cuban flair. Built in 1914 as a residential hotel, the Havana now has 27 rooms in eight dramatically different layouts, everything from studios to a two-story penthouse suite. All have the hotel's original wrought-iron beds, dark-wood flooring and hand-sewn bedding. The basement bar is a favorite with locals and features mezcals, rums, desserts and coffee. The bar also sells cigars, which can be enjoyed on one of the patios outside. The hotel is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Chic and Sleek

The 213-room Hotel Valencia Riverwalk combines classic architecture with hip, conceptual design. With a restaurant named Citrus, a lounge named Vbar and guest rooms designed by Dodd Mitchell of Los Angeles, you might forget you're in a city most noted for a battle in 1836. The hotel's sleek beds are custom-designed, and you'll sleep under seven layers of Egyptian cotton linens. Rooms also sport 42-inch flat-panel LCD TVs, theater-sized leather armchairs and free Internet. The modern design is repeated in the common areas such as lounges, with stylish couches and ottomans, and muted tones of gray, gold and tan.

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About the Author

Jean Mann has been a writer and editor for more than 30 years. She enjoys writing travel, medical, health and how-to articles for various publishers. Mann is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts with a Bachelor of Arts in journalism and English.

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